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India captain Suryakumar Yadav has reportedly requested that if his side wins the Asia Cup 2025, he does not want the trophy to be presented to him by Mohsin Naqvi.

Naqvi, in his role as the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will present the winners’ trophy to the victorious team.

According to a report by NDTV, Yadav has formally requested not to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“India captain Suryakumar Yadav has also made it clear that he doesn’t want the Asia Cup trophy to be handed to India by Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, if the team emerges triumphant in the final. This message has also been delivered to the ACC,” the report stated.

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Notably, Yadav was criticised by many Indian fans back home after he was seen shaking hands with Naqvi in the Asia Cup 2025 trophy unveiling ceremony.

However, in the high-octane clash against Pakistan, Yadav did not engage in a customary handshake with his counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, after the toss.

The incident did not end there. After hitting the winning runs, the Indian skipper exchanged fist bumps with fellow batter Shivam Dube and walked straight to the dressing room.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan players lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.

READ: Struggling Saim Ayub continues to rise in ICC T20I Rankings

Pakistan is set to play UAE in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 following the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft over handshake controversy, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

According to the sources, Richie Richardson will officiate tomorrow’s fixture between Pakistan and UAE. This match is crucial for both teams to advance to the Super Fours of the continental tournament.

This comes after the handshake row during the India-Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14.

India chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealing the win in the 16th over.

The post-match proceedings, however, took a controversial turn as unbeaten batters Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the customary handshake, opting for fist bumps before walking off, leaving Pakistan players waiting.

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The PCB, on Monday, wrote to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for Pycroft’s replacement following the controversial no-handshake episode in the high-profile clash against India.

The board argued that the referee’s directive to skip the traditional handshake at the toss, as well as post-match, undermined the spirit of cricket and violated the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB had stated in its letter, accusing Pycroft of failing in his responsibilities.

Earlier in the day, the Indian media reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had turned down the PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

READ: Ton-up Sidra Amin takes Pakistan to 255

ABU DHABI: Bangladesh have won the toss and decided to bat first against Afghanistan in the ninth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 clash here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Squads

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced each other 12 times in the T20I format. Afghanistan has a slight edge with seven victories, whereas Bangladesh has emerged victorious on five occasions.

READ: Pakistan-India showdown looms as javelin aces Nadeem, Chopra chase world gold

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Monday, demanding the removal of Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC rejected PCB’s request and conveyed their decision formally to the cricket board on Monday night.

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“The ICC has reasoned it out, saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have told Pycroft that there will not be any handshake at the toss,” the report stated.

“The ICC letter cleared the air and refuted Pakistan’s belief that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.”

Meanwhile, ARY News has reported that Pycroft is unlikely to officiate in any matches for Pakistan during the tournament and will be replaced by West Indian Richie Richardson.

READ: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza proud despite Sri Lanka defeat

DUBAI: Wanindu Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka secure a nervy four-wicket win over Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Monday.

Set a 150-run target, Sri Lanka’s lower-order held their nerve as Wanindu Hasaranga starred with a brisk cameo, scoring 20 from just nine balls.

Eventually, the Islanders reached the target in 18.5 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Sri Lanka lost their opening wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis, who made 11 from 14. As the scorecard read 26-1 in 4 overs, Kamil Mishara joined Pathum Nissanka and steadied the team’s total.

The pair added 36 for the second wicket, not before Mishara’s removal, who added 19 to the total.

Meanwhile, Nissanka held firm and forged a crucial stand with Kusal Perera (20 off 16), which kept Hong Kong bowlers at bay in the middle overs.

Yet, Hong Kong struck, and it was the match’s 15th and 16th over which made things interesting.

First, it was Yasim Murtaza’s 15th over, which yielded two wickets on successive deliveries to halt Sri Lanka’s progress. Perera was the first to go, followed by skipper Charith Asalanka, who could only manage to score two.

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Then, in the very next over, another wicket fell, which reduced them to 127-6 in 17.1 overs. Kamindu Mendis did not trouble the scorers much as he was caught long on after making five.

Nonetheless, Hasranga arrived at the crease, capitalising on the no-ball to hit six four to leave the equation nine required from 12 balls. In the second last over, he sneaked two doubles on third and fourth ball before cracking two consecutive fours to seal an emphatic win.

Patthum Nissanka was awarded Player of the Match for his 68 off 44 balls, an innings laced with half a dozen boundaries and two maximums.

For Hong Kong, Yasim Murtaza picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Nizakat Khan’s composed half-century helped Hong Kong set a competitive total.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Hong Kong chalked up 149 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allocated 20 overs. They made a strong start as they raced to 41 in 4.5 overs, before losing core aggressor Zeeshan Ali.

Ali scored 23 off 17 balls with the help of two fours.

Sri Lanka made a comeback after the power play, removing Babar Hayat for four runs. As a result, Hong Kong were reduced to 57-2 in 8.4 overs.

Nevertheless, Anshy Rath and Nizakat Khan paired up for a 61-run partnership off 43 deliveries, which brought their total to 118 in 15.5 overs.

Rath departed after scoring 48 from 46 with the aid of four boundaries, whereas Nizakat ensured that Hong Kong finished strong at the end of their 20 overs.

He top-scored with 52 from 38 deliveries, striking four boundaries and two sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka managed to scalp one apiece.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Waseem shines as UAE cruise to big win over Oman

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes right from the toss, where both captains skipped the customary handshake.

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

Pakistan’s discontent grew after India’s seven-wicket win on Sunday. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the winning runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before both walked straight to the dressing room.

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While Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

Pakistan’s players, meanwhile, lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.

The snub left Pakistan visibly disappointed, with head coach Mike Hesson confirming the team had been waiting for the gesture that never came.

In protest, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the post-match presentation ceremony, breaking away from broadcast norms where captains usually share their thoughts after the game.

“The refusal of Indian players to shake hands is against sportsmanship, and the match referee’s instructions only made matters worse,” the PCB maintained in its letter, repeatedly emphasising the “spirit of the game.”

READ: Former Pakistan captain slams India over handshake controversy

DUBAI: Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket haul, backed by a dominant batting display powered India to a comprehensive win over Pakistan in the sixth match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set a partly 128-run target, India comfortably knocked the winning runs on the loss of three wickets in 15.5 overs.

India started off with a flyer as Abhishek Sharma made 31 off just 13 balls, striking two sixes and four boundaries. The audacious knock from the left-hander set the tone for the coming batters to milk Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Despite Saim Ayub getting Shubman Gill (`10) and Sharma inside the powerplay, India cruised in the chase untroubled, courtesy of a 56-run stand between Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma.

The duo batted with ease and took India near the total. Verma played a composed a knock of 31 runs from 31 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

Suryakumar, on the other hand, remained unbeaten and finished the match with a towering six. He made 47* off 37 balls, an innings laced with five boundaries and a six.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub remained the only silver lining in the bowling, picking up three wickets in his four overs.

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around Pakistan’s batting lineup before Shaheen Afridi’s brisk cameo lifted them to a fighting total against India.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan mustered 127-9 in their allocated 20 overs.

Pakistan failed to capitalize on the decision to bat first as they lost their opening wickets in a heap.

Saim Ayub departed for a golden duck only on the second ball of the match, whereas Mohammad Haris followed him in the second over after scoring three runs.

As a result, Pakistan were in a precarious position of 6-2 in the first two overs.

Following the early wicket, Fakhar Zaman arrived at the crease and tried to stabilize Pakistan’s innings alongside Sahibzada Farhan. The duo batted cautiously and stitched a 39-run stand.

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Nonetheless, the stand culminated with Fakhar’s wicket, who was trying to break shackles after a lean powerplay. He made 17 off 15 balls with the help of three fours.

The wicket sparked a collapse that Pakistan could not recover from as India struck at regular intervals until Shaheen Afridi’s brisk cameo later in the innings.

Sahibzada Farhan remained the top scorer for Pakistan, scoring 40 off 44 balls with the help of three sixes and a four, while Shaheen struck an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls, laced with four sixes.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav remained the pick of the bowlers, taking a three-wicket haul. Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah were equally good with their two scalps apiece.

For context, this is the first Pak vs Ind encounter since the May escalation between both countries.

Playing XI’s PAK vs IND Game

India XI: Abhishek Sharma,  Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf,  Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed

READ: Fakhar Zaman reveals plan to tackle Jasprit Bumrah in Asia Cup 2025 clash

DUBAI: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the sixth match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

India XI: Abhishek Sharma,  Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf,  Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

Both teams have faced each other 13 times in the T20I format. India have won 10 matches out 13 encounters, whereas Pakistan have only managed to win three games.

For context, Pakistan and India are set to face each other for the first time since the escalated tensions in May.

India and Pakistan have both started their Asia Cup 2025 in a dominant way, with the former beating UAE by a hefty margin of nine wickets, whereas the latter crushed Oman by 93 runs to set up an intriguing showdown between them.

READ: Pakistan players to watch out in Asia Cup 2025 clash against India

DUBAI: The biggest rivalry in world cricket returns as India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The game comes with added spice as it will be the first meeting between the two neighbours since the cross-border tensions earlier this year, heightening the stakes even further.

India hold the edge historically, with 10 wins in 19 Asia Cup encounters, while Pakistan have won six, and three ended without result. In the T20I Asia Cup, India lead 2-1.

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On paper, Suryakumar Yadav’s side look favourites, but when it comes to India-Pakistan contests, unpredictability is the norm.

Despite the absence of big names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan still possess enough firepower to hurt India on their day.

Here are five Pakistani players who could tilt the balance.

Fakhar Zaman

Big matches and Fakhar Zaman often go hand in hand. His match-winning hundred in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India remains fresh in memory.

While his T20I record against India is modest, just 38 runs in three innings, Fakhar has the ability to flip a game in one burst of form. India know well that if he gets going, he can be destructive.

Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub would be playing his first India clash, a true test of temperament at the highest stage.

With 318 runs in 14 innings this year at a strike rate of 134.17, Saim has shown flashes of brilliance.

He hasn’t set T20Is alight yet, but this is the kind of occasion where careers are defined. If he finds rhythm, India’s attack could be in trouble.

Mohammad Nawaz

Just months ago, Mohammad Nawaz wasn’t in Pakistan’s plans, struggling for form and consistency.

But since returning to the side after Shadab Khan’s injury, he has been outstanding, 20 wickets in 11 games at an average of 10.90, including a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in the same match against Afghanistan.

Nawaz also has a history against India. In the 2022 T20 Asia Cup, he first rattled them with 3-33 in the group stage, including key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and then turned match-winner in the Super Four with a blistering 42 off 20. On current form, he can be a game-changer.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Few Indian batters need reminding of what Shaheen Afridi can do with the new ball. His spell in the 2021 T20 World Cup, dismissing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and later Virat Kohli, is etched in Indo-Pak cricketing folklore.

If conditions offer him any swing, Shaheen remains Pakistan’s biggest weapon and India’s biggest worry.

Haris Rauf

Mercurial but dangerous, Haris Rauf is the kind of bowler who can leak runs or rip through a line-up.

Against India, he has already taken seven T20I wickets in five matches. If his pace and yorkers click, he could easily tilt the contest Pakistan’s way. India will be wary of underestimating him.

While India are heavy favourites heading into Sunday’s blockbuster, Pakistan’s unpredictability means they can never be written off. With players like Fakhar, Saim, Nawaz, Shaheen, and Haris in their ranks, a surprise is never out of the question.

READ: Former captain picks key players for Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against India

DUBAI: A clinical bowling display followed by measured knocks from Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy powered Bangladesh to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong in the third fixture of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Set a partly 144-run target, Bangladesh hit the winning runs on the fourth ball of the 17th over, losing just three wickets in the process.

Bangladesh had a similar start to Hong Kong, losing two wickets inside the power play. Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan were removed cheaply after scoring 19 and 14 runs respectively.

With Bangladesh 47-2 in 5,4 overs, skipper Litton Das paired up with Towhid Hridoy and stitched a 95-run stand.

The duo batted calmly and helped their team go on to secure their first win of the tournament.

Das was bowled after making 59 off 39 deliveries, an innings laced with six boundaries and a six, while Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 35 from 36 with the help of a four.

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For Hong Kong, Ateeq Iqbal picked up two wickets, whereas Ayush Shukla scalped one apiece.

Earlier, put into bat first, Hong Kong mustered 143-7 in their allocated 20 overs.

Hong Kong started poorly as they lost two wickets inside 4.4 overs. Anshy Rath (4) departed on the third ball of the second over, whereas Babar Hayat was cleaned after making 14 off 12.

As a result, Hong Kong were 30-2 with Zeeshan Ali and Nizakat Khan on the crease. Both batters paired up and batted cautiously to lift their team out of trouble.

The duo added a 41-run partnership for the third wicket, which took Hong Kong’s total to 71 in 11.3 overs. However, Tanzim Hasan Sakib broke the partnership and provided Bangladesh with a much-needed breakthrough.

Zeeshan perished after making 30 off 34 balls, with the help of a six and three boundaries.

Despite the wicket, Hong Kong kept cruising until the first ball of the 17th over. The 46-run stand between Yasim Murtaza and Nizakat Khan ended, which helped Bangladesh in restricting Hong Kong from going past the 150-run mark.

Yasim Murtaza made 28 from 19 balls, hitting two sixes and the same number of fours, whereas Nizakat Khan top-scored with 42 off 40 deliveries with the aid of two fours and a six.

For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan strike rates